The Dog Stars

The Dog Stars (2026)★ 6.2/10

US · 118 min · August 26, 2026

  • Action
  • Thriller
  • Sci-Fi

Directed by: Ridley Scott

Written by: Mark L. Smith, Peter Heller

In a post-apocalyptic world, a virus wipes out humanity. Survivors face roaming scavengers called Reapers. Protagonist Hig, a pilot, survived the flu but lost his wife.

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SStevenCsMoviesSeptember 1, 2026
Director Ridley Scott has made some of the greatest films, including ALIEN, BLADE RUNNER, and GLADIATOR. In the past few years, I feel like he’s been slowly slipping into mediocrity. I know that may sound harsh, but, I mean, look at the evidence. His newest is THE DOG STARS, a post-apocalyptic survival thriller adapted from a book by Peter Heller. It follows Hig (Jacob Elordi), a mechanic, and his dog Jasper, who helps other survivors he interacts with by using a small plane to deliver goods. This includes Bangley (Josh Brolin), a militaristic loner, Cima (Margaret Qualley) and her rancher father Jack (Guy Pierce), Darlene (Alison Janney), and a Mennonite family including Aaron (Benedict Wong). There is also a new faction of feral survivors out there somewhere. Set in Colorado, the beginning tries to give you some world-building, but not enough. We know there was a flu, and an unknown amount of people died. We also know there are quite a few obvious product placements strewn about the apocalypse. The aerial shots are gorgeous. Some character decisions felt unrealistic (who in their right mind would overlook Margaret Qualley?). The writing felt a little poor, you can’t just throw in f-bombs willy nilly. Lots of stuff were built up but didn’t go anywhere. This movie is such a narrative mess, it makes me want to read the book. There is one fantastic scene that I wish was the entire film. It involves Alison Janney really giving it her all and it felt like FALLOUT. All of the ingredients are here for a great movie, but it desperately needs a recipe. Overall, THE DOG STARS has nothing new to say, has great landscapes, and an amazing cast. I’m not trying to be ageist, but Ridley Scott is 88 years old. Just sayin’. If you’re dying to see a post-apocalypse story, go watch the 28 YEARS LATER movies.
EEsteban EordoghAugust 31, 2026
3/5 estrellas
​Hay algo profundamente desgarrador en ver una historia que se siente tan ridículamente cercana a lo que nos rodea. La guerra de los últimos no intenta deslumbrarte con explosiones ni se pierde en discursos grandilocuentes sobre la condición humana; prefiere quedarse en el barro, en las manos sucias y en el silencio pesado de quienes ya no tienen nada que perder.
​La película funciona porque se enfoca en las grietas: el miedo real de la gente común, el peso de las decisiones desesperadas y esa terquedad casi absurda que nos hace aferrarnos a la vida cuando todo indica que deberíamos rendirnos. Las actuaciones se sienten vivas, llenas de pequeños gestos y miradas cansadas que transmiten muchísimo más que cualquier diálogo sobreescrito. Hay escenas donde la tensión se aprieta en la garganta simplemente por la forma en que dos personas comparten un pedazo de pan en medio del desastre.
​Sin embargo, no es una obra redonda. Por momentos, la narrativa tropieza con su propio peso y se estanca en secuencias contemplativas que terminan sintiéndose algo repetitivas. El ritmo decae notablemente hacia la mitad del metraje, y algunos personajes secundarios quedan tan en la sombra que es difícil conectar del todo con sus destinos.
​Aun con esas fallas, deja un poso amargo y honesto. No salí del cine pensando en si era una obra maestra técnica, sino en lo frágiles que somos cuando nos quitan todo lo demás. Vale la pena verla si buscas una historia que no te maquille el dolor, pero que al mismo tiempo entienda el valor de un destello de empatía en mitad del caos.

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